by Kathy Shaw, SPARK Project Manager
Earlier this month I was invited to join a meeting with the Leeds Muslim Youth Forum to talk about our work and ways to counter the divisive messages our young adults receive on social media and elsewhere. This ties into our SPARK Conversations of Hope and also continues the themes of Pilgrims of Hope 2025.
I had a lively conversation with about 15 young people, topics such as responding to racism and challenging injustice and poverty. One member of the group gave me inspiration in her explanation about the best way to engage people in our target age group.
Respectfully, she assured me that older people are happy sitting round a table and talking about social justice issues, but the best way to catch interest with the under 30s is to focus more on visual messaging.
The group gave me examples of effective TikTok reels and are in the process of completing a documentary and film project so are very tuned into this.
On Friday 13th March a group of people, brought together through a belief in inter-faith work, gathered at St Richards’s church in Seacroft hosted by Reverend Anne Russell. The evening was part of a wider community response to this being an area targeted by Reform and where there is an active campaign against people seeking asylum who are accommodated in this parish.
The wonderful Cassandra James brought a group from St Augustine’s Parish in Harehills and by the end of the evening there were nearly 60 young people and their leaders from around the local area. Group discussions focussed on current concerns and aspirations for young people and an activity around interfaith connection, what role can young people play in reducing prejudice, what helps people from different faiths build trust with each other. As the youngest member of our group wisely told us, “In all our faiths, there is love”. We could all experience that truth throughout this evening. I was grateful to be there and hear the wisdom of young people who spoke with confidence about the importance of their faith and what Ramadan and Lent means to those who share these beliefs.
A young person from a local sports group led the call to prayer (Azaan) and after prayers the Iftar, where we all shared wonderful food together. It was a memorable and inspiring evening. Connections and friendships were made and hopefully will be sustained, as we would love to do another similar event, maybe something outdoors in the summer.
Earlier this month I was invited to join a meeting with the Leeds Muslim Youth Forum to talk about our work and ways to counter the divisive messages our young adults receive on social media and elsewhere. This ties into our SPARK Conversations of Hope and also continues the themes of Pilgrims of Hope 2025.
I had a lively conversation with about 15 young people, topics such as responding to racism and challenging injustice and poverty. One member of the group gave me inspiration in her explanation about the best way to engage people in our target age group.Respectfully, she assured me that older people are happy sitting round a table and talking about social justice issues, but the best way to catch interest with the under 30s is to focus more on visual messaging.
The group gave me examples of effective TikTok reels and are in the process of completing a documentary and film project so are very tuned into this.
On Friday 13th March a group of people, brought together through a belief in inter-faith work, gathered at St Richards’s church in Seacroft hosted by Reverend Anne Russell. The evening was part of a wider community response to this being an area targeted by Reform and where there is an active campaign against people seeking asylum who are accommodated in this parish.
The wonderful Cassandra James brought a group from St Augustine’s Parish in Harehills and by the end of the evening there were nearly 60 young people and their leaders from around the local area. Group discussions focussed on current concerns and aspirations for young people and an activity around interfaith connection, what role can young people play in reducing prejudice, what helps people from different faiths build trust with each other. As the youngest member of our group wisely told us, “In all our faiths, there is love”. We could all experience that truth throughout this evening. I was grateful to be there and hear the wisdom of young people who spoke with confidence about the importance of their faith and what Ramadan and Lent means to those who share these beliefs.A young person from a local sports group led the call to prayer (Azaan) and after prayers the Iftar, where we all shared wonderful food together. It was a memorable and inspiring evening. Connections and friendships were made and hopefully will be sustained, as we would love to do another similar event, maybe something outdoors in the summer.
